Reversible tool brace



July s, 1927.

,c. R.A POLEN REVERS IBLE vTOOL BRACE .Filed Sept. 2,3. 1926 INVENToR hrzfzceefz l `ATTORNEY Patented July 5, 1927.

1,634,300 PATENT GL'F'FICEf-f CLARENCE-R. POLEN, OI" TULSA'yOKLAHDIEAyASSIGNOROF THREEFOURTHS;TO

SOLOMON R; MEALY; OFTULSA, VCIKLAHQMA... f

REVERSIBLE 'roonmucn This invention relates to tool braces especially designed for use in well drilling apparatus, and it particularlyhas for its object to provide a strong one-piece brace that can be easily handled and placed for use with drilling tools of different diameters.

IIeretofore tool braces have been designed composed of telescopic sections or with links or loop devices to hold the brace to the derrick circle, but such constructions do not possess the required strength or simplicity and are subject to slippage especially after the brace has been in use for a considerable period.

My invention seeks to overcome the objectional features noted as well as to provide a brace with means to prevent the brace from slipping sidewise out of engagement with the string` of tools.

The invention also embodies certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described, then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the invention applied to a string ofl tools.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the brace per se.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Y

In the drawing in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, 1 designates the circle, 2 and 3 the wrench members which are applied` on opposite sides of the joint line of a string of tools 4. The wrenches 2 and 3 include long lever arms whose extremities are adapted to engage stops. The wrench 2, see Figure 1, engages a stop 5 associated with the circle while the extremity of the lever arm of the wrench 3 engages a stop 6 carried on a traveling ratchet 7, the ratchet moving along the circle and responsive to a back and forward movement of a forgie stick 8 associated with the ratchet.

All of the foregoing parts may be of the usual and well known type, see Patent No. 1,520,168 to C. H. Bergquist', issued December 23, 1924, and per se are not of my invention.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3 it will be seen that my reversible brace comprises a head 9 and spaced arms 10 which lie in a plane normal to the axis of the aperture or socket 15 in the head 9. The arms 10 unite with a double ratchet lug member 11 which has two sets of ratchet lugs 12 and 13 respectively on its opposite sides, the set 12 being-staggered with relation to the Set 13 and each of the lugs has al back brace web 14 as indicated.

In the socket 15 which is of langular cross section is fitted a die or tooth member 17 also of angular cross section (preferably square), an edge of which is adapted to project into the recess 16 of the head 9, which recess merges with the socket 15 and provides lateral portions 18 to engage the sides of the tool in the event that the brace has a tendency to move sidewise, thereby preventing disconnection of the brace and tool.

In applying the brace it takes the part of the brace 14 shown in the Bergquist patent. A suitable one of the lugs 12 or 13 is hooked over the derrick circle edge and the die 17 is tightly engaged with the tool. Any tendency of the tool to move Idownwardly simply wedges the brace tighter in place. The parallel arms l() serve as a convenient handle by which the brace can be manipulated.

If an edge of the die or tooth member 17 which has been in engagement with the tool becomes dull the die may ble withdrawn and given a quarter turn to present another sharp edge.

In manipulating the brace not only can the arms 10 be grasped as a handle but the operator can also take a hold of one of the ratchet lugs with his other hand while fitting the brace in place.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,

it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. A tool brace comprising a rigid onepiece body having a head at one end and a sets, one set being staggeredv With respect multi-sided-sharp-edged tooth member held to the other. in 'said opening and projecting into said 10 3. In a tool brace which comprises a rigid recess, said tooth member being adapted to one-piece body having a, head atoneend be turned to present one of lits edges at :L and means at the other end adapted to en- `time into said recess whereby as one tooth gage a derrck circle, said head having a edge becomes dull another edge may be prerecess in its front and havingffa transverse sented. f opening merging with said recess, and a CLARENCE R. POLEN. 

